MANDALIKA PRESTIGE ON THE WORLD RACING STAGE

Published on Mar Mon, 2023 | 13 images

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After waiting for 24 years, the world-class motorcycle racing World Superbike (WSBK) has finally returned to Indonesia. The last time the WSBK took place in Indonesia was on October 12, 1997 at the Sentul Circuit, Bogor, West Java. At that time John Koncinski won the first race and Carl Fogarty won the second race.

And finally on 12-14 November 2021, the WSBK race will return to the circuit in Indonesia, which will be held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit. This time, racing in Mandalika was very special. Not only marking the return of the prestigious world-class event to Indonesia, but also being the 13th series, which also known as the closing series of the 2021 racing calendar, which will determine the 2021 WSBK World Champion title.

Kawasaki racer Jonathan Rea and Yamaha racer Toprak Razgatl'o?lu are in a tight competition to become the 2021 WSBK world champion. They are only 30 points adrift. And finally, after the first race (race 1), Toprak, despite only finishing second behind Jonathan Rea, managed to lock the 2021 WSBK World Title. Toprak became the first Turkish racer to win the WSBK World Title. He managed to beat the reigning champion Rea, who has been world champion for six years in a row from 2015 to 2020.

The Mandalika Circuit does not only present the excitement of the WSBK race. Other class races such as the Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) which is one class below WSBK and the Idemitsu Asian Talent Cup (IATC) which is the crater for future racers also complement the racing menu on the circuit with a length of 4.31 kilometers with 17 turns.

A number of world racers were very impressed with the new circuit in the 2021 WSBK calendar. Kawasaki racer Jonathan Rea praised the layout of the circuit and its location near the beach and has a beautiful sunset. Meanwhile, Ducati racer Scott Redding likes the grip of the asphalt at the Mandalika circuit even in rainy conditions. The Mandalika Circuit uses the most advanced asphalt technology today, namely Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA).

On the other hand, according to the Director of the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Nugdha Achadie, this world-class racing activity can strengthen The Mandalika's brand image as a Super Priority Tourism Destination which has a Sport Tourism Destination concept.

Meanwhile, the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) estimates that when it is fully operational in 2025, the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, including the Mandalika Circuit, is expected to attract two million foreign tourists per year.

The presence of the Indonesian WSBK series and the planned other world-class races such as MotoGP in March 2022 at the Mandalika Circuit, is the culmination of the efforts and investments made by the government in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone since decades ago.

Photo and Text : Andika Wahyu

Editor : Prasetyo Utomo

SLIDESHOW

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A view of Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit during heavy rain ahead race 2 of WSBK 2021 Indonesia series in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Race leader shows delay start information board due to rain ahead of race 2 of WSBK 2021 Indonesia series at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit.

Several WorldSSP racers speed up during WSBK 2021 Indonesia series at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK crew team changes motorcycle tires of Andrea Locatelli during training session of WSBK 2021 Indonesia series at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Spectators watch the crew teams on standby at the paddock during race 1 of WorldSSP at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit during WSBK 2021 Indonesia series in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK Toprak Razgatlioglu (right), Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK Jonathan Rea (center) compete during race 2 of WSBK 2021 at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit.

Aruba.it Racing-Ducati racer Scott Redding puts on a chest protector ahead of training session of WSBK 2021 Indonesia series at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Thailand racers Watcharin Tubtimon (above) and Thurakij Buapa collide during Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) 2021 at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

View of Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Racer start numbers are prepared in the room of race leader during WSBK 2021 Indonesia series at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK racer Toprak Razgatlioglu is seen doing burnout witnessed by crew team after getting the title of WSBK 2021 World Champion at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit.

Ten Kate Racing Yamaha racer Dominique Aegerter who also WorldSSP 2021 World Champion stands in the rain in front of the paddock of Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK racer Toprak Razgatlioglu waves Turkish flag after getting the title of WSBK 2021 World Champion at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.